Sometimes I can be a bit on the quiet side...

but I really didn't mean to post these photos earlier today with absolutely no words to go with them!  In fact, I didn't mean to post these photos at all!

Don't know what happened there, but I started getting comments in my "inbox" about them so I thought I'd better address the situation :)

I had taken these photos yesterday per a request from my sister wanting to do a post on "collections" over at her lovely blog, Serenade for Solitude (post coming soon???)

Anyways, let me tell you about my little quilt collection...

When I first got married I spied a picture in a magazine of a beautiful armoire full of gorgeous quilts.  The picture spoke to me and I decided that one day I was going to have one of my own.

After expressing this desire to my sweet hubby he told me that when I had enough quilts to fill one ~ he would buy me one.  So, one day (many years later) I decided that, in fact, I did have enough quilts to fill an armoire.   I was out shopping with my mom when I spied a cute one and was reminded of that promise he had made me.  So I went home and reminded him about it (in my sweetest voice ever).  I shopped around a little bit more and found this one that would fit perfectly in the little nook in my entry.

He bought it for me as a gift for Valentines Day a few years ago 

(from a store that is no longer in business for those of you askin' - sorry). 

Up until yesterday, I had about twice as many quilts in it as you see in there now.  But, I decided less is more.  In each of these quilts there is about 2 or 3 smaller quilts stuffed inside them.  I like that you can see more of each quilt now.  And for some reason, I think it makes more of a statement this way.  AND, I don't have to be as embarrassed about the number of quilts I own because people don't see all of them now!  And between you and me, there is another big stack of them in my sewing room closet :)  But, I love them.  I use them.  I need them (for work purposes).  I do give some away but I don't think anyone can appreciate them as much as the people in this house.

Although I could probably fill another armoire at any given moment ~ I am thankful for the one I have and for the quilts we own to give us warmth.  I'm thankful for a wonderful husband who is supportive of my hobby and little business.  I'm thankful to be able to express myself creatively through color and pattern and I'm thankful to all of you who let me share my passion with you!

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday ~ full of family and friends 

(which are life's GREATEST blessings)!

 ~ Amber

Red and White Farmer's Wife Update

I've been farming my little heart out lately and 

I have 11 new blocks to show you 

(I know, get ready for lots of pictures).  

But first, I wonder ~ 

Why do we feel it's necessary to show a picture of each block?  

It seems a little weird.  If I make all 111 blocks then that's alot of Farmer's Wife pictures and posts!  Do any of you get tired of hearing about Farmer's Wife?  Do I dare ask? :)

 I see lots of bloggers doing it (sharing photos of each block).

And the little 6" blocks are awfully cute.

And some of them are quite the feat that it's so tempting to shout to the world, "Look what I made!"  

So I guess I'll follow the pack.  

Hopefully you don't mind???

Have I mentioned the tools I've been loving for this project lately?

Getting my FW book spiral bound has been a lifesaver (to my book and my sanity!  It only cost about $3 to do at my local UPS store).

And my little swival mat is my MOST favorite-ist thing ever.  I really, really love it.  It was SO worth the $9 or so (with a 40% off coupon) that I spent at JoAnns and it saves me a ton of time!  I use to waste so much time repositioning all those dang pieces and templates!  I love it!

So...

Care to see my blocks?

#93 Swallow

#60 Noon & Light

#53 Jackknife

#1 Attic Windows

#39 Friendship

#108 Windmill (easiest block EVER!)

#94 Tall Pine Tree

 

#52 Hovering Hawks

#33 Farmer's Puzzle

#13 Buckwheat

#30 End of Day

They were all pretty simple this month so I was able to get all 9 blocks done (plus I had a couple other ones from last month that I hadn't showed you yet).  That never happens.  Usually I'm lucky to get two done!

So.  That's it for now!  Now I think it's time to take a little break from farming.  And I really mean little.  Or else I'll never finish!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

~ Amber

A simple quilt

 This was a baby gift for a quilting friend.  

It was inspired  by this post by Sandra Saunders.

It was probably my second or third attempt at machine quilting it myself.  I finally learned how to install my walking foot that I got last year for Christmas and marked the lines with a water soluble marker.  It was fun to zip along ~ so smooth and no tucks!

My squares were cut at 6 1/2".

My sashing was cut at 2 1/2".

My outer border was cut at 4".

I'm glad I found the white with grey dot background fabric.

I later found out that my friend doesn't like solid white backgrounds!?!  That's kind of my "go-to" filler fabric so I'm glad I decided to mix things up this time!

A simple little homemade gift.

Perfect for snuggling with :)

New E-Book Winner

I really hate to have to do this but I have to pick a new winner for Jill's E-book of Home Sweet Quilt.  I didn't hear back from the first winner and had no way to get in contact with her.  There was no email attached to her blogger profile. I'm so sorry, Winner #1.

However, I am happy for the new winner - 

Patti who said, "I really need this book so thank you so much for the chance to win it!"  

Congratulations Patti!  Home Sweet Quilt is on it's way.  

I know you'll enjoy it.  It's a great book.

 

I hope you'll all go check out your blogger profile settings and make sure you have an email connected to your account.  It's necessary for situations like these or if you ever leave a question or comment and want a response!  You don't even have to have a blog to have your email connected to your account. 

You can also become a follower to make sure you never miss out on blog updates and announcements.

Have a wonderful, fabulous, quilty kind of day!

~ Amber

CURRENTLY

SAW THIS ON PINTEREST THIS MORNING.  THOUGHT IT WAS A CUTE WAY TO DOCUMENT LIFE.  HERE GOES...

I AM LISTENING:

TO MY HUSBAND TELLING ME I HAVE A PACKAGE.  (FIRST CHRISTMAS SHOPPING PACKAGE OF THE SEASON HAS ARRIVED.  TRYING TO MEET MY ANNUAL GOAL OF BEING DONE BY DECEMBER 1ST.)

I AM EATING:

LEFT-OVERS -

(HOMEMADE LASAGNA AND 
HOMEMADE FRENCH BREAD).

I AM DRINKING:

ICE WATER. 

OH, THE COLD, CRUNCHY GOODNESS.
I AM ADDICTED.

I AM WEARING:

CABLE KNIT SWEATER FROM SISTER.

RUST SCARF FROM HUSBAND.

NAVY JEGGINGS.

BORN BOOTS (I HEART THEM.  THEY'RE SO COMFORTABLE.  I COULD WEAR THEM ALL DAY - AND SOMETIMES DO!)

I AM FEELING:

A LITTLE ANXIOUS.

THE WEATHER TODAY IS:

COOL AND GRAY.  FALL COLORS ARE EVERYWHERE.

LEAVES CRUNCH UNDERFOOT. 

I AM WANTING:

THIS DESK FROM WORLD MARKET:

NEEDING:

NOTHING.

THINKING:
CLEAN OR QUILT?  THESE TWO PROJECTS ARE CALLING MY NAME...
 

(AND MAKING A BIG MESS ON SEWING ROOM FLOOR).

 

ENJOYING:

MY KIDS.  PINTEREST.  MY LITTLE TOWN.

RUNNING OUTSIDE THIS MORNING WITH FRIENDS (MAY BE OUR LAST CHANCE BEFORE BAD WEATHER HITS).  A FEW MOMENTS TO MYSELF.  TALKING WITH MY SISTER.  THIS DAY.  MY HUSBAND.  


What are you up to currently???

 
p.s.  check out this post for result of Jill Finley's Home Sweet Quilt E-book giveaway.

Home Sweet Quilt E-Book Winner

Thank you all for entering Jill's e-book giveaway.  It sounds like a lot of you are looking for ways to up your applique skills and I know Jill is just the one to inspire you! 

 

The lucky winner of Home Sweet Quilt is:

crspy16 who said...

I'd love to win a copy of this book and learn a new way of doing applique! Thanks for the chance to win!

Crspy16 ~ please send me your email address so Jill can send you her e-book version of Home Sweet Quilt. You can reach me at adctd2qultng@gmail.com.  If I don't hear back from you within 48 hours I'll pick a new winner :)

For those of you who didn't win ~ don't cry.  You can get your copy of Home Sweet Quilt at Martingale or stop by Jill's blog for more information: http://jillilystudio.blogspot.com/

Happy quilting!

~ Amber